Hunter, Smith & Davis LLP
Business Law | Serving Kingsport, TN
423-397-7471Business concerns can be addressed by Hunter, Smith & Davis LLP. This practice offers legal representation for clients in the Kingsport, Tennessee area.
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A Unique Region...A Unique Law Firm
Hunter, Smith & Davis, LLP (HSD Law) enjoys a significant multi-state practice in Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and beyond. The firm actively practices in the areas of Civil Litigation (including Insurance Defense), Corporate, Banking and Commercial Transaction Law, Labor and Employment Law, Healthcare Law, Employee Benefits Law, Utilities Law, Real Estate and Land Use Law, Estate Planning and Taxation Law, Environmental Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation and Arbitration). All of the firm's attorneys are licensed to practice in the State of Tennessee. In addition, five attorneys are licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the states of Georgia, Florida, Montana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and the City of Washington D.C.
Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:
- Business & Corporate
- Civil Litigation
- Commercial Real Estate Law
- Employment Law
- Workers' Compensation
- Health Care Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury
- Family Law
- Estate Planning
- Mediation
- Immigration Law
Call 423-397-7471 today to arrange your free initial consultation.
Attorney William C. Argabrite
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1978
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 1978
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1982
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education:
- Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1978
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: cum laude
- Law Review: Wake Forest Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor, 1977 - 1978
- Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 1975
- B.S.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2012 - 2018
- Tennessee Bar Foundation, President, 2016 - 2017
- Kingsport Bar Association, Past President
- King University, Board of Trustees, 2008 - 2014
Attorney William C. Bovender
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1975
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1975
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1975
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1991
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2012
Education:
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1975
- Juris Doctorate
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1972
- Bachelor of Arts
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Foundation, fellow
- Tennessee Supreme Court, board of professional responsibility
- Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, former president
- Kingsport Chamber Foundation, former board member
- Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, former board member
- Paramount Theatre Board in Bristol, former chair
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
Attorney John Buda
Bar Admissions:
- California
Education:
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California
- J.D.
- Law Review: Loyola Law Review, 2003 - 2007
- George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, 1999
- M.A.
- Major: International Trade
- Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina
- B.A.
- Major: English Literature & History
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member)
- The Los Angeles County Bar Association
Attorney Jason A. Creech
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2000
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2008
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2000
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2000
- J.D.
- Honors: Concentration in Advocacy
- Honors: Student Bar Association
- Honors: Class Representative
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1997
- B.A.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Dean's List
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Johnson County Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)
Attorney Steve Darden
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1985
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1987
- Supreme Court of the United States of America, 1988
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1985
- J.D.
- Honors: Law Review member, 1983-1985
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1982
- B.S.
- Major: Accounting
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association, member
- Washington County Bar Association, former president
- Sullivan County Bar Association, member
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
Attorney Mark S. Dessauer
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1983
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1983
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Justice, Phi Alpha Delta
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1980
- Bachelor of Arts
- Honors: Omicron Delta Kappa
- Honors: Mortar Board
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Kingsport Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Litigation and Business Law Section
- Tennessee Bar Association, 1990 - 1993 (Board of Governors)
Attorney Will A. Ellis
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2021
Education:
- The University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2021
- J.D.
- East Tennessee State University, 2017
- B.S.
- B.S.
Attorney Michael L. Forrester
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1984
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1984
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Member, Phi Alpha Delta
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1981
- Bachelor of Arts
- Honors: High Honors
- Martin College, 1979
- Associate of Arts
- Honors: magna cum laude
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Kingsport Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
- Tennessee Bar Association,Young Lawyers Division (Former Member, Executive Council and Board of Directors)
- Tennessee Bar (Former Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee)
- Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (Legislative Affairs Committee)
- Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (Business Development Committee)
- Kingsport Fun Fest (Executive Committee)
Attorney Sydney B. Gilbert
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2017
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2017
- J.D.
- Honors: Dana Collier Memorial Scholarship
- University of Virginia’s College at Wise, 2014
- B.A.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Kingsport Bar Association
Attorney S. Morris Hadden
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- Tennessee
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Juris Doctorate
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Bachelor of Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association (Board of Governors)
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Federation of Insurance Counsel
- Tennessee Association of Defense Lawyers
- Defense Research Institute
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Kingsport Bar Association
- University of Tennessee College of Law (Alumni Council)
- Tennessee Supreme Court (Special Justice)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (Special Agent)
- University of Tennessee College of Law (Dean's Circle)
Attorney Gregory K. Haden
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1983
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1988
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2015
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 2019
Education:
- University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1983
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Finalist, Best Brief Award
- Honors: Echols Scholar
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Raven Honor Society
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1980
- Bachelor of Arts
- Honors: Echols Scholar
- Honors: Raven Honor Society
- Honors: Varsity Baseball (four-year letterman)
- Honors: With High Distinction
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Kingsport Bar Association
- Tennessee Supreme Court’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Specialization (Former Member)
- Supreme Court of Tennessee
- Baseball Coach, Colonial Heights Athletic Commission
- Baseball Coach, AABC Competitive Team
Attorney Joseph B. Harvey
Bar Admissions:
- Georgia, 2004
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 2005
- Tennessee, 2010
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2011
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2011
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2004
- Honors: summa cum laude
- Honors: Order of the Coif
- Law Review: Tennessee Law Review, Member, 2002 - 2004
- University of Tennessee, 2001
- B.A.
- Honors: magna cum laude
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Georgia Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Federalist Society
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association (Board Member)
Attorney Meredith Bates Humbert
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2005
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2009
Education:
- University of Memphis School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2005
- J.D.
- College of Charleston, 2001
- Bachelor of Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee and Kingsport Bar Associations
- Board of Governors, 2020 – 2022
- United Way of Greater Kingsport 2016 Campaign Cabinet Member
- House of Delegates, Delegate for Second District, 2012 – present
- House of Delegates, Speaker, 2020 – 2022
- Leadership Law Class of 2013
- Tri-Cities Tennessee / Virginia 40 Under Forty, 2012
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009 and 2011
- Leadership Kingsport Class of 2009
Attorney James N. L. Humphreys
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 1987
- Tennessee, 1990
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Virginia, 1990
Education:
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia, 1987
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Second place winner of the John W. Davis Moot Court Competition
- Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1984
- Bachelor of Arts
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Honors: Class Representative in Student Government (Honor Court)
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Virginia State Bar, Member
- Tennessee Bar Association, Member
- Kingsport Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
- Insurance Coverage Section of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Former Chairman
Attorney Sarah E. Larkin
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2008
Education:
- New England Law, Boston, Massachusetts, May, 2008
- J.D.
- Marshall University, Huntington, WV, May, 2005
- B.S.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Major: Psychology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association, 2006 - Present (Member)
- Tennessee Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)
- Knoxville Bar Association, 2008 - Present (Member)
- Washington County Bar Association, Member
Attorney Michael S. Lattier
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1995
- Florida, 1999
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1990
- U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit, 1991
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1991
- U.S. Tax Court, 2001
Education:
- Louisiana State University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1985
- Juris Doctorate
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1982
- Bachelor of Arts
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Kingsport Bar Association (Past President)
- Girls, Inc. Kingsport (Chairman)
- Sequoyah Council of Boy Scouts of America (Board Member)
- Kingsport Fun Fest, Past Council Chair
- Arts Council of Greater Kingsport, Past Chair
- Holston Habitat for Humanity, Former Board Member
- Holston Business Group, Legal Counsel
Attorney Laura M. Mickel
Bar Admissions:
- North Carolina
Education:
- University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2020
- J.D.
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2013
- B.A.
- Major: Journalism and Mass Communications and Global Studies
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association, 2023
- McIntyre-Whichard Legal Fellowship (Director)
- North Carolina Journal of International Law (staff member)
Attorney Jimmie Carpenter Miller
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1982
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1982
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1982
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1981
- J.D.
- Honors: With High Honors
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1979
- B.A.
- Honors: summa cum laude
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Federal Bar Association for Northeast Tennessee (Past President)
- Tennessee Board of Law Examiners (Past President)
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Tennessee Bar Association - House of Delegates (Past Member)
- American Bar Association (Fellow and Member)
- Tennessee Bar Association, Fellow and Member
- Kingsport Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Health Law Section
- Tennessee Bar Association, Health Law Section
- Tennessee Bar Association, Insurance Committee
- Tennessee Bar Association, Board of Governors (Past Member)
- Tennessee Bar Association, Judiciary Committee, Member
- Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, chair appointed by Tennessee Supreme Court, 2018
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Tennessee Chapter, Past chair, 2017
Attorney Christopher D. Owens
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2000
- Virginia, 2001
- Kentucky, 2013
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2000
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2001
- U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit, 2001
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2000
Education:
- University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1999
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Order of the Coif
- Law Review: University of North Dakota, Managing Editor
- University of Virginia at Charlottesville, 1995
- B.A.
- Major: Biological Chemistry
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association (Member)
- Virginia State Bar, 2001
- Tennessee 1st Judicial District Committee for Jury Case Management (Member)
Attorney Colin M. Wyvill
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2023
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: With Honors
- Honors: Captain of the National Health Law Moot Court team
- University of Tennessee, 2021
- B.S.
- Honors: cum laude
Attorney Scott Powers
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1998
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1999
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1999
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Tennessee
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998
- J.D./ M.B.A.
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, 1998
- Masters of Business
- United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA, 1989
- Bachelor of Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Member
- Tennessee Bar Association, Business Law, Real Estate Law, and Health Law Sections, Member
- Kingsport Bar Association, Member
- Northeast Tennessee Young Lawyers Association
Attorney Leslie Tentler Ridings
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1998
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 1999
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 2013
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2014
Education:
- University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1998
- J.D.
- Honors: Dean's List
- Honors: Moot Court Board
- Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Legal Profession
- Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Constitutional Law II
- Honors: Academic Excellence Award - Case Development
- Honors: Student Bar Association Class Representative
- Honors: Dean’s Advisory Counsel
- East Tennessee State University, 1985
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Honors: Dean's List
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, Member
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
- Tennessee Board of Law Examiners, Assistant Examiner
Attorney Jordan T. Richardson
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2020
Education:
- Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2019
- J.D.
- Honors: Memphis Sports & Entertainment Law Society
- Honors: President of the Christian Legal Society
- East Tennessee State University, 2014
- B.A.
- Honors: Volunteer Younglife leader at Science Hill High School
Attorney J. Christopher Rose
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2009
- Virginia, 2010
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education:
- Appalachian School of Law, Grundy, Virginia, 2009
- J.D.
- Transylvania University, 2006
- B.A.
Attorney Jeannette Smith Tysinger
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 1996
Education:
- Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, 1996
- J.D.
- East Tennessee State University, 2003
- M.B.A.
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1992
- B.B.A., Bachelor of Business Administration
- Major: Accounting
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association, Member – 1996 to present
- Washington County Bar Association, Member – 1996 to present
- Tri-Cities Estate Planning Council, Member and Former Board Member – 2004 to present
- Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity, Lambda Kappa Chapter, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina – Financial Advisor – 2011 to present
- Tri-Cities, TN, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni Chapter – former President, Vice-President and MSABC Liaison for American Cancer Society and Tennessee Zeta Day Co-Chair – 2007 to present
Attorney Marcy E. Walker
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2015
Education:
- Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Memphis, Tennessee, 2015
- J.D.
- Mercer University, 1978
- B.A.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tennessee Bar Association, member
- Kingsport Bar Association, member
- Tennessee Supreme Court, Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization, former member
- Johnson City Board of Education, former member (1999-2007)
- Johnson City Commission, former member (2007-2011)
- Johnson City Planning Commission, former member (2007-2011)
- Johnson City Board of Zoning Adjustments (2016-present)
Attorney Caroline Ross Williams
Bar Admissions:
- Tennessee, 2010
- Virginia, 2011
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee, 2011
- U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 2015
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 2017
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Virginia, 2013
Education:
- Liberty University School of Law, Lynchburg, Virginia, 2010
- J.D.
- Honors: Law Review Distinguished Service Award
- Honors: Dean’s Honor Roll, 2010
- Honors: Dean’s Scholarship
- Law Review: The Liberty University Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor
- East Tennessee State University, 2007
- B.B.A.
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, vice president (2003-2007)
- Honors: Dorothy Shaw Leadership Award (national winner), 2007
- Honors: Greek Woman of the Year, 2007
- Honors: Panhellenic Council, vice president of membership (2006-2007)
- Honors: Roan Scholars Leadership Program (2003-2007)
- Honors: Student Government Association, secretary and treasurer (2003-2007)
- Honors: Student Leader Hall of Fame, 2007
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Northeast Tennessee Young Lawyers Association, president
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, member
- Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, member
- Tennessee Bar Association, member
- Roan Scholars Section Committee, member
- Defense Research Institute (DRI), member
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA), member